A poetic cottage. Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti
28/01/2021.
[Jiřetín pod Bukovou] Czech Republic
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
The original face of a quirky unfinished cottage from the 1980s has changed beyond recognition. The project of the Czech studio, Mjölk architekti, located in the valley of the Horská Kamenice river is characterized by being an elegant and bold intervention.
With materiality where the black wood panels acquire great prominence, this warm characteristic extends to the interior areas of the ceiling and main room, which is replicated in the small annexed cabin.
With materiality where the black wood panels acquire great prominence, this warm characteristic extends to the interior areas of the ceiling and main room, which is replicated in the small annexed cabin.
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Site plan. Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti
House planimetry. Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti
House elevations. Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti
Sections. Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti
Sauna planimetry. Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti
Axonometry. Cottage Pod Bukovou by Mjölk architekti
The elements of the walls and chimney are fused in a single shape, while some of the windows cut the cladding of the facade in a round shape. In this way, the cottage looks like an aviary covered with vegetation.
In this project by Mjölk architekti, the original living space remained in place, while the bedroom layout changed. The proposal results in two bedrooms in the main cottage and a guest bedroom in the attached cabin.
In this project by Mjölk architekti, the original living space remained in place, while the bedroom layout changed. The proposal results in two bedrooms in the main cottage and a guest bedroom in the attached cabin.
Description of project by Mjölk architekti
The winter wind blows over Buková mountain. It travels from the North Sea across the German plains and gains strength in the rocky hills above church in Hejnice, to reach the other side of the mountains and talk about upcoming winter there. In these places, where that cold fingers of the north winds still reach, we have repaired the cottage.
Above the valley of Horská Kamenice river fallen beeches rustle and the wind plays a strange melody. White smoke rises from the black house and suggests that the cottage is not empty. The original face of the unfinished cottage from the eighties has changed beyond recognition. The gray brizolite was replaced by black wood paneling, which the owners tanned themselves. The wood also extends to the roof areas and the main house, even with a small cottage, looks very abstract. Terms such as roof, wall or chimney merge into a single shape. There is a house with windows and a terrace. Some of the windows cut the facade cladding into a round shape. The house looks like an overgrown birdhouse.
The cottage is cozy. The flames of the fire lick the glass in the large fireplace, the wood cracks and pillows of white Jizera mist roll over the windows. Tufts of water vapor sweep the valley and above them white spots of slopes on Špičák. The worst weather here can actually be the best.
The interior is simple and functional. The original layout has changed. The original living space remained in place, but the sleeping layout changed. There are now two bedrooms in the house. One is large, accessible by secret stairs in the closet. The second, slightly smaller, is accessible by a ladder from the kitchen. Opposite the fireplace is an invention called the "sleeping window", where an unexpected visitor sleeps comfortably.
Fresh powder of snow crunches underfoot and we get to a smaller cottage that hosts a sauna and a bedroom for visitors. The birch halo soaks in the bucket and the sauna smells of wood. It's getting dark and in the twilight you can see the first naked people in bathrobes who are going to taste the magic of the sauna with the best view in Jizerky.
We are lucky with people. Together with our clients, we realize things that we used to just admire in magazines. It is always a courage to repair an old house, because it is never entirely clear what awaits you during the work. A wall falls here, here it is found again that the house has no foundations, or there are a few bones from the Middle Ages somewhere and everything has to change. We are all the happier when everything goes well. It just wants to have strong nerves and a bunch of people who trust in you. Thanks!
More information
Architects
Builder
Area
Built-up Area.- Cottage.- 85.5 m², Sauna.- 21 m². Usable Floor Area.- 94.7 m². Plot size.- 1289 m².
Budget
€ 160,000.
Dates
Project year.- 2016. Completion year.- 2020.
Materials
Brick, wood, steel, concrete, glass, floor tiling.
Manufacturers
Location
Jiřetín pod Bukovou, Czech Republic.
Photography
Jan Mach, Jan Vondrák. Mjölk
Mjölk architects. (Jan Mach, Jan Vondrák) After finishing their studies at Liberec, Faculty of Arts and Architecture, they founded the architecture studio The Mjölk architects, 2008. After several years, this studio has become a well-known architectural firm. Its architectural style is characterized by conceptual simplicity, veracity and youthful joy.
They not only cooperate with private investors but also with some municipalities. They organize the Kino Liberec film festival and a series of races called Divočina. With the exception of the colorful portfolio of projects, they spread their activities by teaching in Liberec, and participating in Czech and international workshops and conferences.
Jan Mach (1981, Melnik). Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Technical University of Liberec.
Jan Vondrák (1981, Pribram) Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Technical University of Liberec.
They not only cooperate with private investors but also with some municipalities. They organize the Kino Liberec film festival and a series of races called Divočina. With the exception of the colorful portfolio of projects, they spread their activities by teaching in Liberec, and participating in Czech and international workshops and conferences.
Jan Mach (1981, Melnik). Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Technical University of Liberec.
Jan Vondrák (1981, Pribram) Faculty of Arts and Architecture, Technical University of Liberec.
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